Mid-fi setup upgrade (HiFiman EF500 + HF 1000 Stealth)

Hi everyone,

Yes, just another thread asking for help and recommendations as a beginner audiophile who just started this journey… !

This is my current setup:

  • Headphones: Hifiman H1000 Stealth
  • AMP/DAC: Hifiman EF500
  • Cable: upgraded to a balanced XLR with Neutrik connector (link from Etsy)
  • Plugged to: Macbook Pro M3 Pro (via USB-C)
  • I just bought the Chord Mojo 2 to see if it can run the HF H1000 while I am in a different room or just chilling on the sofa…

I mostly listen to music on Tidal (Max), I was happy with Apple Music until I A/B tested against Tidal… I have some DSD files and I have been running the trial for Audirvana but haven’t found it revolutionary/impressive enough, compared to Tidal. Not sure if the current setup is a limitation in that sense…

I live in the UK and I have a budget of £3000.

After some review I have come across a few options:

  • AMPs:
  • Schiit Midgard
  • Vioelectric V-222
  • Vioelectric V-340
  • DACs:
  • Chord Qutest
  • RME ADI-2
  • All-in-one:
  • Burson Conductor GT4 (my 1st choice so far, but scared due to lack of reviews and not seeing much love for the brand, plus overheating and fans).

Other considerations:

  • I would prioritise something of good build and a brand with a reputation for longevity of products and craftmanship over the latest tech at the expense of those aspects.
  • As I am based in Europe I can’t go for Geshelli Labs, wouldn’t prioritise Schiit either.
  • I think I prefer something warm and musical, over something analytical and sterile (no Topping sorry).
  • I’d like to move away from Chinese brands such as Topping, SMSL, etc.
  • This will be sitting on my desk, hence the Burson is my 1st choice so far (it can go vertical by design).

Any recommendations, guidance, or feedback, coming from experience and not subjectivity will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance,
Enjoy the music.

Welcome to Hifi Guides ,

While you already stated that you wouldn’t prioritize Schiit anyway, just letting you know that the Midgard is not their warmest sounding amp (granted it is a good one). A lot of Vioelectric fans out there, but I do not have experience with their amps (though they are supposed to pair well with many planar headphones). As for Burson, I do have experience with the Soloist 3xp, but they have since made improvements in the higher end units. I found the Soloist 3xp to be lacking a little in overall detail and refinement (granted the higher end units “should” solve this). The Soloist 3xp did bring some warmth to my headphones (it is class A after all), but I ultimately switched to the Mjolnir 3 (better overall amp in my opinion). One of the big benefits of the Burson amps is being able to fine tune the sound with opamps , so if you like to tinker with the sound that would be a positive. They also have a lot of power ot tap which will help if you go up the chain of Hifiman headphones (numbers aren’t everything though, sound signature over watts).

I would try using the Chord Mojo 2 as your DAC with whichever amp you ultimately choose (unless you go AIO). It may turn out to be a good fit for your setup, and if not then you know to look for a different tuning/sound signature. If there are any shops near you to demo the Vioelectric amps it might be a good idea to visit them. Your ears will always be the deciding factor (I am with you on the Topping amps though :laughing:) Also remember synergy is key, and not all gear will mesh well together.

Good Luck , and Happy Listening!

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Ty lots @MindBreak this is very helpful!

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i’ve also heard good things about Vio and Burson but haven’t tried them personally.
while maybe not a good desk unit (it’s pretty big) or a “high end” unit I enjoy the Rebel Amp as a warm+smooth class A imo punches above its price class but is SE only

What about Ifi Pro iDSD Signature?

I don’t have any experience with it but it fits your criteria and should have that more musical ifi house sound.

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op didn’t want chineese brand

Ifi is from the UK!?

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Sure are, their parent company is Abbingdon Music Research (AMR) and iFi’s based in Stockport :uk:

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Thanks all for contributing, I really value all your opinions [image]

I made some changes to my setup:

  • Headphones: swapped the H1000 Stealth for the H1000SE.
  • DAC/AMP: swapped the Hifiman EF500 for the EF600. Bought the Mojo 2.

Thoughts so far & why I did go for those changes…

H1000 Stealth vs H1000SE

TL;DR test, try and judge yourself, always.

There’s a long debate with numerous threads across many sites (Reddit, ASR, Headphones.com, etc). People seem to prefer the Stealth overall…

To me the H1000SE are more holographic, with more of a 3D sound that works best for me.
I am loving getting more details and clarity in all types of music.

Works best for modern music, i.e: Billie Eilish, Electronic but also OST’s from Hans Zimmer, etc.

The only trade off IMO is when you are listening to Jazz/Rock you sacrifice a bit of “smoothness/warmth” like on the H1000 Stealth that type of music sounds a bit more natural and enjoyable. But after A/B testing lots is something I am very happy sacrificing, overall.

Hifiman EF500 vs EF600

Well, not a HUGE step but it does bring more resolution, details, and clarity (whatever you call it). It opens the soundstage a bit more and needs less volume output.

Chord Mojo 2

I just spent 2/3h last night playing with the EQ with the H1000SE plugged to my iPhone via USB-C/3.5 Jack. Not incredible amazed so far, but it can be just me not finding the perfect tuning just yet (after all I am a noob in this matter).

I got a 3.5mm TRS to dual RCA cable to test the Mojo 2 as main DAC, leaving the EF600 as amp only. Will update here with my thoughts.

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I can only imagine what a pain in the ass it must be using the EQ on the Mojo2 :woozy_face::traffic_light::vertical_traffic_light::traffic_light::vertical_traffic_light::traffic_light::vertical_traffic_light:

If it’s plugged into your phone I’d suggest to use a systemwide equalizer like wavelet for convenience.
Also you can use the AutoEQ preset for you specific headphone from the database and see If you like it.

If you want great PEQ functions you could also use Qudelix T71 as DAC only and feed it into your EF600

wild idk how I never heard of that before, assumed they were with how their product launches are ig

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